Miller Middle School teacher Carmen Heald is pictured talking to her Spanish literature class recently. Several members of the eighth grade class earned the opportunity for college credit in Spanish after taking a test.
A group of students at Miller Middle School are proving the dual language program is paying off for them.
The students have been learning Spanish and English concurrently since they attended the dual language program at Woodbury Elementary School.
The group took the Spanish College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) test allowing them the opportunity to receive college credit. Scores earned by 17 students will translate to full credit once their results are accepted at their college of choice.
For example, if they attend Marshalltown Community College after graduating from Marshalltown High School, this group already would have 12 college credits in Spanish course work. As an eighth grader, they would have already earned credit in Elementary Spanish I & II and Intermediate Spanish I.
Marshalltown Schools English Language Learners Coordinator Rachel Inks said, “This test is a culmination event of the dual language program and allows the eighth graders to explore a third language while enrolled at MHS.”
Carmen Heald teaches the literature course in Spanish and is proud of her students’ achievement.
Miller teacher Vince Milot said, “This success really underscores the commitment of the district to our ELL and non-ELL students in bilingual education, the efforts of teachers and administrators in making that program work, and, of course, the hard work of these great kids.”
